Commissioners appoint clerk and recreation board member; approve interim manager contract in closed session

Swain County commissioners took a series of administrative actions Feb. 17, approving personnel appointments, minutes and a closed-session personnel contract.

Lottie announced that longtime clerk Cindy Woodard is retiring and that Cynthia Jenkins has been selected to fill the administrative assistant/clerk position; the board moved and unanimously approved the appointment. The board also confirmed the Recreation Board of Advisors recommendation and appointed Eric Stevenson to the vacant seat after a motion, second and unanimous vote.

Commissioners approved minutes for Jan. 6 and Jan. 20 by motion and vote. During new-business discussion the board moved into closed session to discuss personnel and contract negotiation matters relating to a county property at 67 Lakeview Drive (Great Smoky Skycamp LLC referenced). After returning from closed session, the board voted to accept the personnel contract presented for Lottie to continue as interim manager and authorized staff to proceed with an offer on the property discussed in closed session.

Why it matters: These appointments fill key administrative and advisory roles and the closed-session action finalized the interim manager’s contract and authorized next steps in a property negotiation.

Next steps: County staff will finalize the clerk hiring paperwork, execute the interim-manager contract and proceed with contract negotiations as authorized by the board.